Master of Social Work (MSW) - State Authorizations & Related Information (For Non-California Students)

State Authorization Information

The California State University Northridge is currently authorized to operate or is currently exempt from requiring approval in all U.S. states with the exception of the following states:

• North Carolina
• New Mexico
• Rhode Island

Regarding State Licensure Requirements

The California State University Northridge may offer a program that prepares an individual for licensure in their home state. As licensing requirements in each field can vary from state to state, California State University Northridge has not made any determination as to whether our degree programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in any state outside of California. This information is provided to applicants as of January 23, 2023.

Note regarding Master of Social Work program: CSUN has not made any determination as to whether this program meets the educational requirements for licensure in any state outside of California and North Dakota. Your state may have its own specific licensure requirements for social work practitioners. Please check with your state's licensing department for more information. You may find contact information for your state through the Association of Social Work Boards.

North Dakota (ND) prospective and current MSW students

If a student is from North Dakota (ND), the ND requirements for the LMSW licensure can be found at https://www.ndbswe.com/lic/lcsw/reqs.asp.

The Licensure Requirements are:

• Master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited college or university or a Canadian college or university accredited by Canadian Association for Social Work Education. The degree must be in social work; no other degree will be accepted!
• Passing score on the ASWB master’s level exam.
• Before 8/1/2019, this level was known as the LCSW level and may still be reflected as such on some forms and information as we work to update them. The LCSW is now the clinical level.

In compliance with ND Century Code requirements, the MSW program meets the licensure requirements for the state of ND.